Women from across Hall County joined in solidarity to empower each other and raise money for an organization that provides educational programing to help women thrive.

WomenSource, the host and recipient of the annual luncheon fundraiser, invited ladies for an afternoon of inspiration and motivation on Wednesday, March 27 at the Chattahoochee Country Club.

Michelle Nunn — CEO of the humanitarian aid and international development agency, CARE USA — presented as the event’s keynote speaker.

“I think this is a great event to support WomenSource and raise money for the work they do, which in turn helps us who are doing different things in the community to help people,” said Dana Chapman, executive director of ITN Lanier. “To be able to see Michelle Nunn and hear her experience is just a great opportunity.”

Nunn dived into her leadership journey, talking about her co-founding Hands On Atlanta, which is a volunteer-mobilization organization, her time as a candidate for the U.S. Senate and her current role as president and CEO of CARE.

Nunn said Hands On Atlanta started with a group of passionate volunteers meeting at Manuel’s Tavern in Atlanta, and expanded into a national network of over 50 affiliated nonprofits.

The organization presented people with the opportunity to join forces and volunteer, whether building homes or working at food banks.

“I’ve always found purpose, meaning, satisfaction and joy in serving,” she said. “To be able to mentor a younger child, or go to a nursing home and develop relationships is where I always found solace, consolation and connection.”

Although she ran for U.S. Senate, Nunn said she grew up thinking that she would never run for political office.

“I think that we need people that are deeply committed to public service and using the platform of political office as a way of trying to make a difference,” Nunn said. “That ultimately led me to run.”

With CARE, Nunn said the organization performs long-term development and emergency response to over 60 million people each year in more than 90 countries. The nonprofit additionally focuses on women’s empowerment, health and girl’s education.

“What we’ve learned over our years in doing that work is that when you emphasize women and girls, you have a disproportionate impact on families, communities and nations,” Nunn said.

Nunn also said she has found that global poverty has gone down by half in the last 25 years, and believes that the world can overcome extreme poverty in this generation.

“The opportunity for care and the opportunity for all of us is to stand in solidarity with people around the world and people here in our country, and overcome the poverty that so diminishes all of our potential,” she said.

Before Nunn gave her talk at Wednesday’s event, 12-year-old Angelica Krubeck took the stage.

At 9 years old, Krubeck founded Super Science Kids, Inc., which makes science kits containing experiments designed to engage youth of all ages. She also received first place during this year’s WomenSource Girl Power program.

Krubeck said she gained inspiration to start her organization when a friend opened up to her about living in a shelter.

Last summer, Krubeck embarked on a cross-country tour, delivering 1,000 science kits throughout the U.S.

In just three years she has reached out to kids throughout the U.S., Uganda, China and Thailand.

These kids include refugees, immigrants, children with incarcerated parents and others.

“I found that it’s not about the science,” Krubeck said. “It’s truly about helping the kids realize the amazing power that they have within themselves.”

Krubeck ended her speech by calling girls and women to consider themselves valuable, pursue their passions and participate in community service.

“If girls start to say, ‘I’m worth it,’ they can create change,” she said. “We can only grow stronger by connecting that power we have. I believe in you, let’s lift each other up.”